More Quick Home Makeovers

(Vocus) March 31, 2009

The birds are following their nesting instincts and we're motivated too--to renew, refresh and redecorate. Need a little inspiration to refresh your nest? Here are ideas from the Calico Corners - Calico Home staff across the country. "Small projects can have a large impact on the look of a room," notes Jan Jessup, director of communications for the 100+ store group. "Remember: great decorating begins with great fabrics, and our fabrics have never been fresher, with new graphic prints, dramatic ikat designs, an amazing collection of African-inspired animal skin patterns, Kashmiri crewels and our Annie Selke Home collection, exclusive to Calico. Walking into the store is like a little trip around the world!"

For many more ideas, click here for part one of Quick Home Makeovers: PR Web - Quick Home Makeovers - Ideas To Add A Fresh Touch.htm

DINING ROOM

????Redo dining room slip seats in a current fabric. Or have slipcovers made for the seats, perhaps with a pleated skirt that ties on. They'll hide stains and add a fresh look.

????Lighten your table for spring. Use a length of embroidered sheer fabric or handkerchief linen, hemmed, gathered or puddled at the ends to create a runner or table cover.

????Add two upholstered host and hostess chairs to your dining room table. These should be in a contrasting fabric that coordinates with the other chairs at the table. (Be sure the new chairs are the right height and pitch for dining; adding a decorative lumbar pillow will provide more support.)

FAMILY ROOM

????Create a junior ottoman for your family room by stacking three 26-inch boxed pillows that can be thrown on the floor for television viewing.

????An ottoman--tufted or not--makes a great coffee table and does double duty as seating. Because an ottoman is often a centerpiece, a new one can have a big impact.

BEDROOMS & BEDDING

????Hang bed drapery panels on swing arm rods at each side of your bed to help create your own private space. This works well to dress up a guest room bed. If you have a canopy bed, hang fabric panels--two for minimal effect, four for maximum impact.

????Add an upholstered headboard to an existing bed--they attach right to the metal bed frame. This makes the whole room seem more finished. Select a fabric that works with bedding in all seasons. Upholstered headboards are very comfortable if you read, work or watch television in bed.

????Hang a shirred rod pocket panel as high as you can on the wall behind your bed. This can even go behind a headboard. Make it reversible for a seasonal change of d?cor. Or use a heavy jacquard fabric as a wall tapestry behind the bed and hang it from a decorative rod.

????Reupholster a "found" bench for the end of your bed--look in antique stores, auction sites and thrift stores for bargains. It's a handy place for bedding and pillows at night, for putting on shoes, or to use as a luggage stand when packing for a trip.

????Create a light coverlet for summer use to complement a reversible duvet cover for winter use. Switch their placement as the seasons change.

????Jazz up an existing bed with new Euro shams (26-inches square) or one large rectangular bed pillow.

????Add a shorter dust ruffle in a sheer or lace to add a romantic touch and perk up an existing dust ruffle on the bed. This can go right over the top of the current bed skirt.

BATHROOMS

????A small investment makes a big impact in a bathroom. Consider a new shower curtain in a fresh colorful print, a pretty sink skirt (it can go on with Velcro) and new monogrammed towels.

LAMPS & LIGHTING

????Glue tassel trim to a lampshade for a touch of glamour or whimsy.

????Cover unsightly cords or chandelier chains with a fabric scrunchy to go with your decor.

????Replace yellowed or aged lampshades with new textured, colored or shaped styles to update the look of your lighting.

BOOKSHELVES

????Give your bookshelf a makeover. Display treasures appropriate for the season--bowls filled with pinecones or feather-covered balls for fall, a glass vase filled with sand and seashells for summer. For color, line the back of the cabinet with fabric-wrapped inserts.

WINDOW SEATS

????Add a window seat cushion with throw pillows for a new reading area.

WALLS

????Graphic printed fabrics are "art by the yard." Staple to a stretcher frame and mount as is, or frame up and place on the wall. Group three or four together for maximum impact.

Calico Corners - Calico Home stores provide expert decorating advice and free in-home design consultation in more than 100 stores across the country. Consumers will find thousands of designer fabrics for the home at value prices; custom window treatments, blinds and shades; custom upholstered furniture, plus decorative accessories and more. Thousands of fabrics are available online. For more information or to find the nearest store, visit http://www.CalicoCorners.com or call (800) 213-6366.

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